Brave Smash (Jpn) 3YO Brave Monarch posted his third successive win from just four starts at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday for the Chris and Corey Munce stable offering a timely reminder as to the merits of his sire whose first Yarraman Park conceived offspring will be headed to yearling sales in 2026.

When local trainer Jo-Anne Dalton put a saddle on Sestina for Sunday’s Gladvale Farms Winton Cup (1400m) at Ascot Park, she expected the $35,000 race to be little more than a pipe-opener ahead of the Cromwell Cup (2030m) next weekend – but the Lonhro mare had other ideas.